Her foster parent writes:

“When Sara came home with me, she was initially a little quiet and shy, but that lasted all of maybe two days.  She did have some nervousness over new situations (like stairs or rain!) but with some guidance learned it wasn’t scary at all.  She is/was very comfortable when being crated overnight and would even go in there on her own for naps during the day.

I would take her to work with me every day and she met a variety of people and “loved on them” all!  She was also a great passenger in a car – you’d never think so with all her puppy excitement over everything and anything, but she was very responsible during car rides and never tried to sit on my lap while I drove – always a good thing!

My home is also infested with kitties (no idea how they got here…hrrrmmm), and the worst thing Sara did with them was try to play with them or steal their food.  Somehow my cats didn’t appreciate Sara trying to play, but she didn’t ever respond badly, even after a couple of kitty smacks when she got too in-their-face.  And Sara NEVER ONCE tried to eat cat poop.  That in itself is a miracle!  For some reason she also had some strange bond with one of my guinea pigs.  I would find them nose to nose (through piggy’s cage)…just barely touching and both sniffing just being curious about each other.  It was really weird, and I should have taken a picture.

Sara is extremely smart, and really treat motivated.  That being said, she is also very stubborn when she wants to be.  She knew the command “sit” when she came home with me, but was very sporadic on when she would listen.  It took probably an hour a day for a week and she knew how to sit quite well.  She also learned “lie down”, “shake” and “hi-five” in that week.  When she gets confused by commands, she will do a variety of all of them until she gets her treats!  I think she would be a great dog to go to an agility course with – she’s brilliant when she has fun learning!  I also substituted plush squeaky toys for treats, and she loved those too.

She has also been good meeting other dogs ( okay – ONE other dog…ugh, you know those owners in Petco who INSIST their dog should sniff your dog???).  A beagle met Sara head to head and I’m sure my anxiety streaming down the leash didn’t help, but Sara was a good girl and not rude.  We also met a toddler at that same location on that same day who ran up yelling “DOGGGGGGGIE!!!!!”  With verbal reassurance, Sara didn’t jump and was happy with the attention.  Me?  I needed an aspirin.

Sara didn’t bark really in my home or at the doorbell…she did bark at dogs walking by the yard a couple times and she does have a scary BIG GIRL bark when she does it.  But it happened so rarely I didn’t even think it would come up.

Regarding things she still needed to work on…

• “Tells” for needing to go out.  She was actually very good at pooping outside, but on peeing inside she still needed a little work.  I found if I asked every few hours, “Do you need to go out?” she would go to the door if she needed to.  It would have most likely been a matter of time before she understood that “telling” me she had to go was easier than waiting for me to ask.
• Mouthing/Jumping – Sara loves attention and loves people.  She also did respond to corrections when being jumpy/mouthy and telling her to sit.  A treat or squeaky toy always got her out of this jumpy state, and she would sit.  She also submissive urinates sometimes when she first sees a person and they baby talk at her.  I found ignoring her for a minute when first walking in the house did the trick.
• Walking on a leash – She does great after about a half block.  But for the first half block she spins around, tries to walk herself (taking the leash), and is just generally WAY excited for a walk.  After about a block, she’s fine and walks pretty much like any other dog.  She probably doesn’t walk well at the ACS, because all her mind is saying OMG IM WALKING YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!  (She actually got away from me one day on a walk, and I was like ACKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK- SARA STOP.  And she did.  Scared the heck out of me.)

Honestly, if I wanted a forever dog, I’d take her in a second.  In retrospect of her first adoption (and return), please understand puppies are puppies, even if they are bigger, and if you jog/run/bike lead an active lifestyle – all the better.”

If you’re interested in meeting, and potentially adopting this incredible dog, visit us any day of the week after noon to see if she’s the dog for you! For complete adoption details click here.

Visit our NEW Team Anti-Cruelty Website dedicated to our running team here!

Read their suggestions below and spread the word:

Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership

Owning a pet is a privilege and should result in a mutually beneficial relationship. However, the benefits of pet ownership come with obligations.

Responsible pet ownership includes:

• Committing to the relationship for the life of the pet(s).

• Avoiding impulsive decisions about obtaining pet(s), and carefully selecting pet(s) suited to your home and lifestyle.

• Recognizing that ownership of pet(s) requires an investment of time and money.

Katrina

• Keeping only the type and number of pets for which an appropriate and safe environment can be provided, including adequate and appropriate food, water, shelter, health care and companionship.

• Ensuring pets are properly identified (i.e., tags, microchips, or tattoos) and that registration information in associated databases is kept up-to-date.

•Adherence to local ordinances, including licensing and leash requirements.

Sarafina

• Controlling pet(s) reproduction through managed breeding, containment, or spay/neuter, thereby helping to address animal control and overpopulation problems.

• Establishing and maintaining a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

• Providing preventive (e.g., vaccinations, parasite control) and therapeutic health care for the life of the pet(s) in consultation with, and as recommended by, its veterinarian.

• Socialization and appropriate training for pet(s), which facilitates their well-being and the well-being of other animals and people.

Chloe

• Preventing pet(s) from negatively impacting other people, animals and the environment, including proper waste disposal, noise control, and not allowing pet(s) to stray or become feral.

• Providing exercise and mental stimulation appropriate to the pet(s)’ age, breed, and health status.

• Advance preparation to ensure the pet(s)’ well-being in the case of an emergency or disaster, including assembling an evacuation kit.

• Making alternative arrangements if caring for the pet is no longer possible.

• Recognizing declines in the pet(s) quality of life and making decisions in consultation with a veterinarian regarding appropriate end-of-life care (e.g., palliative care, hospice, euthanasia).

Guy is The Anti-Cruelty Society’s official amabassa-cat. Not only is he a rock star at special events, he’s also in the know on breaking news and animal-related tid bits.

You can follow Guy and all his adventures here.

Therra Gwyn writes in her article “How Pets Can Help You Keep Your New Years Resolutions” that “Many of us welcome a new year with high hopes and the best of intentions to thin our waist, expand our wallet, find love or learn something new. A pet can help with that.” So if you have a pet in your home, consider Gwyn’s tips to fulfilling your goals in the new year.

And if you’re one of thousands, or millions, of people without a cat or dog in your life, there is no better time than now to adopt! Shelters like The Anti-Cruelty Society have many pets looking for homes, homes like yours.

So get your 2012 resolutions off to a good start by incorporating your current pets into your goals – or if you don’t have a pet – adopting one today.

What goals have you set for 2012? How can your pets help you achieve them?

Swing by The Anti-Cruelty Society boutique for loads of affordable gift options that will give back to the shelter. Or, if you’re an online shopper, check out the incredible handmade gifts we found on Etsy below.

Pretty bow by Charlie Hearts Diesel

Catnip Cakes by The Cheekie Beastie

Small Dog Toy Donuts by The Critter Project

Dog Costume Hat by Handmade Monster

Catnip Radish by Wags and Wiggles

Modern Pet Bed by Mod Pet

Modern Cat Tree by Danchanand

Enjoy!

“Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet’s eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations:

O Christmas Tree Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn’t tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. Stagnant tree water is a breeding ground for bacteria and your pet could end up with nausea or diarrhea should he imbibe.

Tinsel-less Town
Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching “toy” that’s easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It’s best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.”

To read more holiday safety tips read the full ASPCA article here.